BUICK REVAMPS ENVISION SUV MAKING IT A CLASS LEADER IN TECHNOLOGY
Buick has revamped its compact Envision SUV for the 2024 model year, swapping trim level names and adding technology. And, the price is rising on the model, which now comes standard with all-wheel drive.
The 2024 Buick Envision has a new grille and front fascia, with a new badge and restyled hood. Fresh LED headlamps are checkmark-shaped and taillamps use Buick's winged motif. In back there's a new bumper and tailgate inspired by the Wildcat EV concept.
A few new exterior paint colors are on offer including Calypso Blue Metallic and Smokey Amethyst Metallic.
The biggest changes are in the cabin of the 2024 Envision, on sale this spring, where occupants will get their first look at the company's new 30-inch diagonal, ultrawide touchscreen and driver information cluster, which is standard across the Envision lineup. That screen leads the market in size for the Envision's competitive set.
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The new high-resolution screen is configurable with different widgets for navigation, audio, Wi-Fi and other features. It allows access to the 126-option ambient light color wheel, as well as Google Assistant with Maps and the Google Play app store. The system is still compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the upcoming General Motors EVs may not be.
A head-up display, nine-speaker Bose sound system, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot and noise cancellation technology are also standard across the Envision Preferred, new Envision Sport Touring and Envision Avenir trims.
Sport Touring replaces the middle Envision Essence grade for 2024.
"Sport Touring has been a package you can add, and a third of those Envision sales had it, so we just made it its own trim. Remember, roughly a third of our sales come from Avenir, and you couldn't get the Sport Touring package on it," Marcus Boyd, marketing manager for Buick Envision told Newsweek.
"So that's part of why we made the decision, but also we've seen that Sport Touring is allowing us to capture a wider part of the market. We're seeing that people who gravitate towards the Sport Touring tend to be younger than our normal Buick buyer."
The Sport Touring version of the 2024 Envision features dark trim and special wheel selections in 20-inch size. It also has a flat-bottom steering wheel and other sporty finishes inside.
Thepowertrain remains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque (same as last year) along with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
All Envisions come with a five-link rear suspension; Avenir models have an adaptive suspension with three drive modes: Tour, Sport and Off-Road.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard using a clutch system that can decouple when the rear wheels aren't needed for better efficiency. All Buick Envisions come with a multilink suspension while Avenir models use the company's adaptive suspension called Continuous Damping Control. It adapts via the drive modes.
"The updates to technology and design ensure the 2024 Envision will remain fresh in the showroom alongside the upcoming new Enclave and fresh Envista and Encore GX. Despite pricing changes with more technology and standard AWD, the customer value remains strong," Stephanie Brinley, associate director of research and analysis at S&P Global, told Newsweek.
"However, moving to all-wheel drive only could risk pushing some buyers away. According to S&P Global Mobility light-vehicle registration data only about 47-percent of Envision models registered in 2023 calendar year were AWD models," she said."
The premium Envision counts the smaller Acura RDX ($44,350), Lincoln Corsair ($38,990) and Lexus NX ($39,445) among its competitors. It's still the least expensive out of the bunch, even with all-wheel drive. It also has more digital screen inches than those other SUVs.
Safety features include adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, rear cross traffic braking, a surround view monitor, blind zone steering assist and automatic high beams, all of which are standard on all trims.
The 2024 Envision goes on sale this summer with a starting price of $37,295 for the Preferred trim. The ST trim starts at $39,795 and Avenir starts at $48,395.
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2024-04-02T13:13:50Z dg43tfdfdgfd